"And you said that I was, I hope," said Clif, quietly.
Most women would have been embarrassed by a question such as that. But Bessie Stuart was not.
There was some of the old-time self-possession in her voice as she responded. She turned and looked fairly into Clif's eyes.
"I know you well enough to speak my mind," she said. "Yes, I told him that you were."
And then the two sat perfectly silent, looking at each other. It was a very few words they had said, but they covered a lifetime of feeling.
In that quiet way and under those strange circumstances Clif had unbosomed his heart; and Bessie Stuart had done the same.
It was the first word that Clif had ever said to indicate how he felt toward her.
For the two sat in silence for a minute or so; and then Clif went on:
"You told this officer that I was his rival," said he; "that you loved me and that I was the only barrier to his hopes?"
"I did," said the girl.